Representative Nick Archer

R

District 55

Hi, I'm Nick Archer and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 55th District.

representative

Leadership

Majority Caucus Vice Chair

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Jun 23, 2025
Recent Posts

Archer, Moore Applaud Announcement of New Spaceplane Based at Burns Flat

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, and Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, are praising the announcement that Dawn Aerospace will bring a new spaceplane, capable of flying loads to the edge of space, to western Oklahoma. The Aurora Mark 2 suborbital spaceplane, which will fly from the Oklahoma Air & Space Port in Burns Flat, can carry payloads to the edge of space and return on a runway. Flights may begin operation as soon as 2027. "The arrival of Dawn Aerospace and its cutting-edge Aurora spaceplane shows that Oklahoma is at the forefront of the future of aerospace," Archer said. "Bringing the Aurora spaceplane to Burns Flat opens the door to high-tech jobs and a future-driven economy, including new opportunities for microgravity research that will help bolster Oklahoma's growing biotech and pharmaceutical industries. I’m incredibly excited to see our region become a launchpad for American innovation." "We've been working toward making the Spaceport into a first-class facility for space flights for quite some time," Moore said. "To see this partnership come to fruition is gratifying. It truly positions Oklahoma as a leader of the aerospace and defense industries and will benefit not only Western Oklahoma but our entire state." The $17 million partnership between Dawn Aerospace and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) encompasses both the vehicle and an operations team, with up to 100 flight days and 200 flights planned in total after initial testing. The Aurora Mark 2 is a reusable spaceplane capable of carrying small payloads to 100 kilometers, or just over 62 miles. Unlike traditional rockets, it takes off and lands horizontally from a runway. Dawn Aerospace will train an Oklahoma-based team in New Zealand before flights begin at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port. With a nearly 3-mile-long runway and a designated space flight corridor, Space Port Oklahoma is one of 14 FAA-licensed space ports in the United States.

May 6, 2025
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Archer Applauds Defeat of SB2

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, today commented on the Oklahoma House of Representatives' defeat of Senate Bill 2 , a bill he argued would set a dangerous precedent before later being overturned in court. In his debate against the bill, Archer, who serves as chair of the House Energy Committee, argued the Fifth Amendment protects the right to private property. "It plainly says, if government takes your property, it owes you just compensation," Archer said. "That principle isn’t optional. It’s not up for debate." Archer argued that SB2 would open the door for counties to enact "viewshed restrictions" that amount to public takings without compensation. "Let’s not sugarcoat it: this bill gives local government the power to take from one private citizen in the name of another’s preference," he said. "That is not conservative. That is not constitutional." Archer challenged the idea of allowing counties to override citizens' constitutional rights through a simple majority vote, pointing out that "rights don't disappear based on a local vote." He said SB2 would let a group "vote away your right to use your land. That’s not democracy. and the Constitution exists to prevent that. And even if this body passes it, the courts will strike it down. I’d rather get it right today." The measure failed 44-49 on Tuesday evening. However, notice was served that the vote may be reconsidered.

Mar 24, 2025
Recent Posts

House Approves Increased Payments to Foster Families

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a measure to increase reimbursement payments to foster families for the first time since 2018. Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, filed House Bill 2030 after a foster family in his district had to turn away a placement of three siblings because they didn't have the resources to take in all three children. He later heard similar struggles from his son's band teacher, who is also a foster parent. "Oklahoma families want to help, but we're making it too hard," Archer said. "Our current foster care shortage is driven in part by inflation and stagnant reimbursement rates. There are Oklahomans who want to take these children in and care for them, but with our current reimbursement rate, they simply can't afford to." HB2030 increases the monthly foster care maintenance payments by $5 a day. Under the measure, the current reimbursement rates would increase from $17.72 to $22.72 for children ages 0 to 5, $20.42 to $25.42 for 6 to 12-year-olds, and $22.62 to $27.62 for children 13 and older. Archer said the goal is to reduce placement disruptions, keep siblings together, and lower the number of foster children who later become homeless or incarcerated, ultimately saving the state money. "Every dollar we invest today saves us three dollars down the line," Archer said. "House Bill 2030 is about protecting kids, supporting the families who step up and doing what’s right—not just financially, but morally." HB2030 passed the House 90-4 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.